Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a defiant speech at the Knesset yesterday (Monday), saying that "I will not yield or surrender. I will not end the war before achieving all our goals. Our fallen heroes will not have died in vain."
Addressing the question of a hostage deal, he said "The pressure, both international and domestic, on the Israeli government, which is doing everything possible to secure the hostages' release, only strengthens Sinwar’s resolve, leading him to demand terms that would endanger Israel’s very existence—terms we cannot accept."
He also noted the difference between Israel and Hamas when it comes to civilian casualties: "For us, any non-combatant hurt is a tragedy; for Hamas, it is a strategy. That is the core difference."
He ended by saying "If we surrender, we will not bring back all our hostages. If we surrender, we will deliver a great victory to terrorism, to Iran, and to the entire axis of evil—those who wish us dead.
"Those who say they cannot withstand the pressure should raise a black flag. No, they should wave a white flag and surrender.
"I will not. I will continue the fight until we raise the flag of victory."